Frustrations...

I highly recommend working with an actual tutor vs just doing test prep. My daughter was able to improve her math ACT 5 points by working with an actual tutor. Basically for 3 months they met weekly and worked on ACT type math problems. It not only brought up the ACT score but she improved her overall math skills
 
An ACT score of 20 is remarkably low after five attempts. You absolutely need outside help to improve. Obviously none of us know your personal financial situation, but if at all possible, a good one-on-one tutor can prodice remarkable results.
 
PG#7 said:
Sorry guys, I need to vent a little. I am a junior and have taken the ACT 5 times and I am seeing little movement. My gpa is 3.95 and I have made all A's in my 3 college math classes which include college algebra and trig. I plan on taking calc 1 next fall. I know that we all have to have a plan B and C, but I do not want to give up on plan A. I have done all of the online act prep imaginable and will look for a tutor this spring. My problem is that I'm sitting at a 20 and I am not seeing any results. Sorry for the rant, I just needed to get it off my chest....
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If you have the GPA and college level math grades you say you do, a 20 doesn’t seem right. It’s most likely a strategy issue. You could do a few sessions of an online tutor (all different pricing structures available) to help pinpoint your challenge. Wyzant is a good one.

You could also be a candidate for a prep offer. The strength of your school is considered by admissions as part of the appointment process.

Don’t give up. Do your best. See what happens. Academia is a huge part. But the whole candidate is looked at.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for all of the info. I talked with my parents and we are looking for some act prep courses in the area. I'm also going to sign up for the SAT. I feel that overall I'm okay as I have tons of volunteer hours, am involved in several clubs including NHS, fixing to receive my Mitchell in CAP, a 2 sport athlete (xc and baseball), and was just voted captain of the baseball team by my peers. Academically I am on point, it's just that darn test......
 
Athletics. Academics. Leadership. Volunteer hours are not part of the equation, unless you provide leadership.
 
If you have the means I'd suggest a tutor. Not just for the subject matter but for strategies in taking the test. My DS went from a 1200 something to a 1500 something with some extra help. A lot of the help was a plan on how to attack the different areas of the test to maximize time. He also was struggling with running out of time.
 
sngtlm said:
SAT (better for math people) = in-depth, less questions, harder math
ACT (Better for fast readers) = way more reading, more shallow, easier math, more questions

You can also bring a hand watch with you to manage time, and that’s really important because for some sections you have around a minute per question, if I recall correctly.

I used the relatively same amount of studying for the test, but for me personally, the ACT style of questions were easier. The questions are not as in-depth as the SAT, there are more of them, and you have less time. I like this style because I’m not as strong in math, and I made up for a 26 math score with a 35/34 reading/writing score. 1270 SAT, 31 ACT
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I totally agree. I am very much a math person, and I hated the ACT format. I also hated the science portion of the ACT because my brain would be fried before I even flipped to the science portion & then I wouldn't be able to think critically/conceptually. Also, remember that USAFA superscores the SAT. That was my strategy, as I was aiming for an 800 math & as long as I didn't do horrible on the reading, I'd get the score I want within 2 tests. I was going to take another SAT after that one to focus on my reading score, but the other one ended up being the highest I scored on both sections lol.
 
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